Analysis, features, news plus more – on European football and sports galore!
What a day of finals action. USA swept Italy in the inaugural United Cup, before American teenager Coco Gauff and world no. 5 Aryna Sabalenka both prevailed in straight-sets to clinch their first WTA singles titles since May 2021 while Novak Djokovic recovered from the brink – match point down – to eventually overwhelm Sebastian Korda to win his 92nd ATP title. Continue reading “USA secure United Cup, Sabalenka and Gauff win clean while Djokovic saves match point to pip Korda”
After surpassing his previous best, earning a semi-final finish at this year’s Australian Open, 2021 Wimbledon runner-up Matteo Berrettini has spoken about how he plans to utilise the upcoming United Cup as an opportunity to build towards an even better run in mid-January at Melbourne Park – where his deficiencies were laid bare by Rafael Nadal 11 months ago.
Continue reading “Australian Open 2023: Berrettini to use United Cup as confidence boost for long Grand Slam run”
The talented pair, 20 months apart in age, will face off for the second time in four weekends tomorrow night with the Umag title on the line after their thrilling four-set clash at Wimbledon set tongues wagging about how the sport’s in good hands over the next decade and more. Continue reading “Umag: Alcaraz-Sinner in Croatian clay final after contrasting semi-final wins over qualifiers”
This year’s Major marks the first Grand Slam since Wimbledon 2011 where the men’s top 12 seeds have all advanced through into round three – but it was certainly a gritty battle particularly for three of the favourites, one having to save match point, two being down 2-0 and recovering in five. How will that impact their chances of a deep run over the next nine days? Continue reading “French Open 2022: Zverev, Tsitsipas and Alcaraz survive scares – but for how long?”
It wasn’t as straightforward as the scoreline may suggest, but world no. 1 Novak Djokovic marked his highly-anticipated 2022 debut with a straight-sets win over exciting Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti in the night session at this year’s ATP Dubai – who memorably pushed him to the brink of a surprise Grand Slam defeat on Parisian clay at Roland Garros last summer. Continue reading “ATP Dubai: Djokovic’s long-awaited 2022 debut ends with straight-sets win over Musetti”
Olympic champions Alexander Zverev and Belinda Bencic both got off to a winning start in straight-sets against Sam Querrey and Arantxa Rus respectively, while David Goffin (#27) and Karen Khachanov (#25) were among the seeds to fall within the men’s game. Elsewhere, there was a winning start for Emma Raducanu on her US Open main draw debut as Day 2 unfolded. Continue reading “US Open 2021: Olympic champs Zverev, Bencic progress as Raducanu wins on Day 2”
In a field weakened by notable absences including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Simona Halep and Serena Williams, America’s prodigious teenager Coco Gauff and first-time Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini have withdrawn from this year’s rescheduled Tokyo Olympics. Gauff tested positive for COVID-19, while Berrettini has been struggling with a lingering thigh injury. Continue reading “Tokyo Olympics update: Gauff, Berrettini withdraw with COVID and injury issues”
World number one and last year’s beaten finalist Novak Djokovic won 6-3, 6-2, 6-7, 6-4 against Matteo Berrettini overnight, booking yet another Grand Slam semi-final – second to only Roger Federer in the all-time ranks (50). However, it wasn’t without a few dicey moments late on…
Continue reading “French Open 2021: Djokovic’s defiant defence helps him roar past Berrettini”
Former world no. 1 Juan Carlos Ferrero – winner at the 2003 French Open – has cautioned critics quick to apply pressure on Spanish teenager Carlos Alcaraz as Rafael Nadal’s successor long-term – instead saying more gradual progression is important for him to have a fruitful career.
Continue reading “Don’t compare exciting teen Carlos Alcaraz to Rafael Nadal, warns Juan Carlos Ferrero”
Mo and Sports 